Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson expressed his disappointment at the burden placed on fans by the decision to hold the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.
Manchester City and Liverpool were both keen to move their game away from North London on the weekend of April 16/17 due to engineering works that made train travel a nightmare. On top of the increasing expense at a time when the cost of living is going up, no supporters who wanted to attend the game are able to get a direct train from Manchester or Liverpool to London.
However, the FA are looking to recover income lost during the pandemic and holding all FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley as well as the final - a move introduced for 2008 - is part of their plan, meaning they did not consider the two north-west teams meeting at a venue that was more convenient for fans. Instead, they are providing 100 free buses from Anfield and the Etihad, as well as playing the game at 3.30pm on Saturday April 16 and pausing non-essential roadworks on the road.
